×

CBI cancels 2026 tournament, vows to return

By Thomson Reuters Mar 13, 2026 | 1:33 PM

The College Basketball Invitational men’s postseason tournament will not be held this ​year after organizers announced ‌the 16-team event scheduled for March 21-25 was canceled.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, the CBI ‌will ​not be held ⁠this year,” the ⁠CBI announced in a brief statement on X.

The CBI intends to return, saying ​in its statement: “We will see you next year!”

The CBI ⁠is a ⁠third-tier men’s event behind ​the NCAA Tournament and the ​NIT. It has been contested since ‌2008, aside from 2020 when it was canceled during the pandemic.

Prior to 2020, ⁠teams played on their home courts through the championship game. Since 2021, ⁠the ‌event has been ⁠held exclusively at Daytona ​Beach, ‌Fla.

Illinois State won the ​2025 ⁠event, with Seattle, Charlotte, UNC Wilmington and Pepperdine all winning titles since the event was moved to Daytona Beach.

–Field ​Level Media